UPDATE, 3:15 p.m., Dec. 8, 2020: The Batesville Police Department released this statement regarding this incident:
Batesville Police Department received a report from the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division alleging Daniel Neal was possibly sexually abusing a female juvenile.
The juvenile was interviewed at the Batesville Child Advocacy Center and disclosed to investigators numerous accounts of sexual acts she stated Neal had performed on her for the past several years.
Neal was later interviewed at the Batesville Police Department, after he was advised of his rights he agreed to waive them and speak with Investigator Jason Bryant about the allegations.
During the conversation, Neal came to admit that the sexual acts had occurred as the juvenile had said. He described the same acts as she had, with specific and graphic details.
An arrest warrant was then sought and obtained on Daniel Neal for three counts of rape based on his admissions, the disclosures of the juvenile, and other investigation.
His bond was set at $500,000. Neal was arrested on Tuesday morning after he had been asked to appear again at the Batesville Police Department. He was taken to the Independence County Detention Center without incident.
A Batesville man is being held in the Independence County Jail on rape charges.
Booking information on the Independence County Sheriff’s Department website notes Daniel E. Neal (pictured), 27, of Batesville, was taken into custody by Batesville Police officers on 11:28 Tuesday morning.
Neal is apparently facing more than one count of rape. A judge has set Neal’s bond at $500,000, according to the booking information.
White River Now will have more information on this story as it develops.
Image via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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